The Federal Government is using the arrival of the first asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea, under its new offshore settlement policy, to send a stern warning to people smugglers and their potential customers.

A group of predominantly Iranian and Afghan asylum seekers from the Christmas Island detention centre arrived on PNG's Manus Island about 7.45am (AEST).

The Afghan government has conceded it
cannot guarantee the safety of any failed asylum seekers deported from
Australia to Afghanistan.

The Afghan ministry of refugees and repatriation
says no-one can be held responsible for the security situation in Afghanistan
and MPs want their government to scrap a deal signed with Australia last
month.

The Australian Federal Government has announced
it is immediately lifting the freeze on processing the refugee claims of
Afghan asylum seekers.

The six-month freeze on processing was
due to expire in early October.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says
all Afghans affected will now have their claims assessed on a case-by-case
basis.

"During the last six months, the
Department of Immigration and Citizenship has been working to improve its
understanding of the situation of asylum seekers from Afghanistan, particularly
the situation of Hazaras, who comprise the majority of …